We’ve spent the day exploring the corners of Coles Bay, and it has been one of those days that reminds us why we packed up our lives in WA to see the rest of this beautiful country. We started out at Cape Tourville, which really showed us a completely different side to the east coast. We often think of Tasmania as having those endless white sandy beaches, but out here, it’s rugged, high, and windswept.
The views from the track at Cape Tourville were massive. Looking out over the water, we could see the coastline stretching forever under a heavy, dramatic sky. It felt quite wild. We followed the elevated boardwalk that hugs the cliffside, which made for an easy stroll compared to what we had coming later in the day. Lisa enjoyed spotting the different hardy plants clinging to the rocks, while Steve was busy keeping an eye on the horizon, hoping to spot a whale, though they must have been having a sleep-in today.
From there, we took a bit of a whim and turned off toward Sleepy Bay. It wasn’t originally on our "must-see" list, but we are so glad we made the detour. It turned out to be a real highlight. As we started down the path, two very pretty red-breasted robins appeared and essentially escorted us all the way down to the water. They’d hop a few metres ahead, wait for us to catch up, and then flutter a bit further. The grandkids would have absolutely loved them; they were like little feathered tour guides.
When we reached the bottom, we were met with the most incredible sight of bright orange and red lichen-covered rocks meeting the turquoise water.
The contrast of those red rocks against the sea is something a photo just can’t quite capture, though we certainly tried! We sat there for a while just listening to the water lap against the stones. It’s a lot more intimate than the bigger tourist spots.
Eventually, we knew we had to tackle the big one: Wineglass Bay. To be honest, we were a bit skeptical heading in. We’d heard so much hype from other travellers and read so many brochures that we wondered if it could actually live up to the reputation. Well, we can officially say that the photos do not do this place justice.
It was a proper workout, though. The walk is about 3.7km return, but it includes a 160m climb over the first half. Steve counted them, and there are 440 steps to get up to the lookout. We certainly weren't sprinting up there! There are plenty of benches placed along the track, and we aren't ashamed to say we took advantage of every single one of them. Lisa would find a particularly nice view to "admire" while catching her breath, and Steve was just happy for any excuse to sit down for a minute.
When we finally reached the top, the view opened up, and it was spectacular. The curve of the beach is perfectly symmetrical, and the water is a shade of blue that looks like it’s been painted on. You really see why Freycinet National Park is the crown jewel of this area. Looking back away from the water, the Hazards mountains are just as impressive, with those massive pink granite peaks looming over the forest.
By the time we got back down, our legs were definitely feeling those 440 steps, but our hearts were full. It’s a special part of the world, and we feel very lucky to be seeing it at our own pace.
